Iran, France shore up trade, sign deals

TEHRAN- Iran and France took another step to boost cooperation in
different fields of economy by signing five agreements at the end of a business
forum in Tehran on Tuesday. The agreements, signed at the place of the
Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), included
cooperation on developing Mashhad International Airport, establishing a
bioethanol plant, expanding fish farms, and holding pilot training courses in
Iran.

Ayrault was accompanied by 100 delegates including some top officials from
well-known companies such as Airbus, Alstom, and Total as well as several
representatives from French companies active in metallurgy, construction,
banking, information technology (IT), steel industry and etc.

Some 250 Iranian private sector's entrepreneurs took part in the forum, too.

200% rise in economic co-op

During the past year, economic ties and collaboration between the two sides
has witnessed a 200-percent increase, the French foreign minister said during
the forum.

Underlining the positive impact of Iran's sanctions' removal on enhancement of
Frances ties in the past year with Iran, Ayrault voiced his country's readiness
to transfer knowledge and provide technical and engineering services for Iran's
renewable energy sector, and implement various projects including those in
railway transportation and those for expansion of ports in the Islamic Republic.

Iran-France business forum is a turning point in the two countries' economic
relations, he asserted.

Bolstering bilateral trade

The Iranian foreign minister, for his part, vowed that his ministry will pave
the way for development of bilateral ties between Iran and France, adding that
Iran-France bilateral trade stood at €1.7 billion during January-November 2016,
becoming three-folded, compared to the same period in 2015.

He, however, did not express content about the current trade volume saying that
it does not accord with the two countries' potentials.

Removal of banking barriers

As ICCIMA head said, both sides believe in removing impediments on
development of mutual banking ties as the most significant factor in improvement
of Iran-France trade bonds.

"Iranian and French companies can cooperate in various sectors namely
infrastructure, construction, medicine, medical instruments, transportation,
environment, etc," he added.